garddwr Posted March 16, 2012 Share Posted March 16, 2012 We have a car sitting unused in the garage--it's a '98 model, not worth very much to sale. The battery is dead from sitting unused for too long, but otherwise the car is in working condition. Our registration renewal is due this month and I am seriously wondering if it is worth the cost and hassle to keep renewing a vehicle that we aren't using. I'm considering donating because it seems easier than getting the car ready to sale and finding a buyer. Has anyone donated a car? What would be a good organization to donate to? I know there are multiple charity organizations that take cars, but I also know many such organizations have huge overhead costs--if we're going to donate, I would like the proceeds to actually go to help someone not just to pay the salaries of multiple layers of bureaucracy. --Sarah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted March 16, 2012 Share Posted March 16, 2012 I donated a car to National Public radio. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SquirrellyMama Posted March 16, 2012 Share Posted March 16, 2012 We donated our car to Teen Challenge. Kelly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K-FL Posted March 16, 2012 Share Posted March 16, 2012 I searched for a Christian group in our area of the country. They did free pick up (we're 3 hrs from the big city.) We got much more in the tax deduction than we could sell the 1st car for. The 2nd we got the minimum deduction of $500. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amyco Posted March 16, 2012 Share Posted March 16, 2012 We donated a car many years ago...they came and towed it. It was great not to have to do anything else. I can't remember the charity; I just saw an ad in the paper and called. I'd probably donate to our public radio station if I did it again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meriwether Posted March 16, 2012 Share Posted March 16, 2012 We gave a car to a nice young man. Do you know anyone that a car would be a blessing to? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garddwr Posted March 16, 2012 Author Share Posted March 16, 2012 We gave a car to a nice young man. Do you know anyone that a car would be a blessing to? I have thought of posting on our local homeschool group, I know there are some families struggling financially. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kewb Posted March 16, 2012 Share Posted March 16, 2012 We have donated a couple of cars over the years. I believe the organization was kars4kids.com. I just try not to stab my eyes out with a fork over the cutesy spelling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dawn in Ohio Posted March 16, 2012 Share Posted March 16, 2012 We donated a car to Goodwill. It was very easy and, of course, tax-deductible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandy in Indy Posted March 16, 2012 Share Posted March 16, 2012 We recently gave a car to someone in our church who truly needed one. I'd look for someone in your community who really needs a car and give it to them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spryte Posted March 16, 2012 Share Posted March 16, 2012 We gave our next door neighbor (who is almost a shut in) our son's old car, for $1. She needed a car, just for emergencies. When she was ready to buy a better car, she passed it along to a teenager who could not have afforded a car. It's a perfect project car. If you don't need the deduction you'd get, maybe a local in need would be nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SweetMissMagnolia Posted March 16, 2012 Share Posted March 16, 2012 never donated to a "group" but did give a car to an individual recently..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pqr Posted March 16, 2012 Share Posted March 16, 2012 (edited) DAV takes them as well; given the last 10 years there are (unfortunately) thousands of most deserving individuals who are helped by DAV God Bless our Troops Edited March 17, 2012 by pqr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Occasionally Posted March 16, 2012 Share Posted March 16, 2012 I gave one to Habitat for Humanity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mudboots Posted March 17, 2012 Share Posted March 17, 2012 We gave one to a family who was here from overseas. We found out about them through our church. If you give the car directly to someone, be sure there's nothing unsafe about the car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T'smom Posted March 17, 2012 Share Posted March 17, 2012 We donated a car one time. Our pastor at the time, often mentioned needs in the community and one time he said that someone needed a car, and we were like "hey, we have a car!" So we gave it to the church who then gave it to the person who needed it. If you are part of a church, I would ask the pastor if he knew of anyone who could use it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rose in BC Posted March 17, 2012 Share Posted March 17, 2012 We gave our old van to a person who needed one. We just signed the registration over to her name. No money exchanged hands. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlebug42 Posted March 17, 2012 Share Posted March 17, 2012 We have donated them to St. Vincent DePaul before. It was super easy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
usetoschool Posted March 17, 2012 Share Posted March 17, 2012 We donated our old van to the Alzheimer's Association. Funny story though, they forgot to come pick it up. :lol: It sat in our driveway for weeks and we finally called them again and they said they forgot and came that day with a tow truck and picked it up. The paperwork and tax stuff was super easy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMDRAD Posted March 17, 2012 Share Posted March 17, 2012 We've donated two cars. One to some Soldier group, I can't remember the name, and the other went to Purple Heart. The first car ran but the axle was broken. We got a nice standard tax write off for it. The second car was a 2002 Camry, the engine block seized up and we could not repair it. It went to auction and actually sold for a few thousand dollars. The tax write off was much bigger. The donation process was painless for both groups. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hsmom2011 Posted March 17, 2012 Share Posted March 17, 2012 We have donated 2 cars. One to the Salvation Army, and last year we donated one to a local organization in our area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted March 17, 2012 Share Posted March 17, 2012 Yes, twice, and both times the cars were later abandoned on the road, and the police/towing company/someone-I-forget-who tried to get us to pay for towing. Happily, both times we had the bill of sale and so could prove that we were no longer liable.:glare: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momtokea Posted March 17, 2012 Share Posted March 17, 2012 Dh sold his old car for $1 to the mechanics department at the local high school. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vettechmomof2 Posted March 17, 2012 Share Posted March 17, 2012 Yes, to the JDRF(Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation). No problems, it was very simple. It was also an undrivable car, the engine was blown and some other issues and they had no problems taking the car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garddwr Posted March 17, 2012 Author Share Posted March 17, 2012 We donated our old van to the Alzheimer's Association. Funny story though, they forgot to come pick it up. :lol: It sat in our driveway for weeks and we finally called them again and they said they forgot and came that day with a tow truck and picked it up. The paperwork and tax stuff was super easy. Now that's a funny story! Thanks for the laugh :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngieW in Texas Posted March 17, 2012 Share Posted March 17, 2012 We donated one to Texas Cars for Kids. They came out and towed the car away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mytwomonkeys Posted March 17, 2012 Share Posted March 17, 2012 we haven't donated to an organization, but we have given 2 cars away. one was to my uncle an one was to my cousin. there is always someone that needs a car, so we just found someone we knew to bless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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